NW Sports from the AP

Date: 05/24/2013 05:30 AM

NW–SportsMinute/225
Here is the latest Washington, Oregon and Alaska sports news from The Associated Press

 

SEATTLE, Wash. (AP) – The Seattle Mariners have sent slumping catcher Jesus Montero to the minor leagues. The Mariners optioned Montero to Triple-A Tacoma yesterday. He has 72 hours to join the club. The 23-year-old Montero is hitting .208 with three home runs and nine RBIs. He hit .260 with 15 homers and 62 RBIs last year in his first full season in the majors.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The Portland Thorns’ season couldn’t be going any better. They’re sitting atop the National Women’s Soccer League’s opening-season standings and drawing more than 11,000 fans to home games. And they’ve got Alex Morgan. But just a few hour’s drive north, the Seattle Reign are struggling with a roster unexpectedly missing its star power, and with no wins and four total goals so far. The contrasting teams paint a picture common to many startups: successes and snags.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan (AP) – Bo Horvat scored on a short-handed penalty shot in the first period and Jake Patterson made 32 saves to help the London Knights beat the host Saskatoon Blades 6-1 on Thursday night in the Memorial Cup tiebreaker game. London will face the Portland Winterhawks in the semifinal tonight; the winner advances to play the Halifax Mooseheads on Sunday night in the Canadian Hockey League title game.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.